KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd has launched the country's first smart logistics autonomous vehicle as part of its digital innovation and automation journey.
Central to the initiative is Autonomous Logistic Solutions Sdn Bhd (ALS), a local company enabling the deployment of Zelos - a fully driverless, 100 per cent electric, zero-emission autonomous logistics vehicle.
ALS is responsible for bringing, localising, and operationalising Zelos in Malaysia.
As part of Malaysia's first autonomous logistics deployment of its kind, ALS and Pos Malaysia will undertake a six-month Proof of Concept (PoC) within Pos Malaysia's operational environment.
The PoC serves as a critical first step towards 'on-road' adoption, supported by collaboration with the Transport Ministry, the Road Transport Department, and Futurise to ensure alignment with regulatory, safety and national autonomous vehicle frameworks.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the autonomous vehicle will help in reducing operating costs for Pos Malaysia.
However, he stressed that the use of technology in the operations will not lead to a reduction of the workforce in the company.
"I don't see this as a cause for layoffs in the company and in fact, I have signalled to Pos Malaysia that there should not be any workforce reduction just because we leverage the latest technology," he told reporters at the launch ceremony.
Pos Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar said the autonomous vehicle is a pivotal milestone in the company's journey to transform Pos Malaysia into a modern, innovative and sustainable logistics provider.
"Zelos represents more than just technological advancement; it represents a concrete step towards a more sustainable and efficient operation.
"The technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption, optimise delivery routes and minimise wastage in our daily operations. We are proud to be at the forefront of Malaysia's digital evolution and to lead the industry into a new era of automation," he said.
The introduction of autonomous, electric vehicles reinforces Pos Malaysia's commitment to its Sustainability Roadmap, which prioritises decarbonisation, operational efficiency and greener innovation across the value chain.
Pos Malaysia group chief executive officer Charles Brewer said the autonomous pioneer is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and serving our nation's future.
"We are immensely proud to lead this transformative journey, and we are energised by the potential it unlocks for our customers and for the entire country. This is the first mile of a very long and exciting road ahead for Pos Malaysia," added Brewer.